JOURNAL #2
East Harlem
On the train into Penn Station, I was wondering what to expect today. There are many things that come to mind when I am thinking of Harlem. You only hear bad things when on the news or in movies. I am excited to build my own perception on East Harlem and learn what this part of the city is really all about. It is definitely important to form your own judgment on places, otherwise you will never get to enjoy or experience what those places have to offer. I was looking forward to seeing what East Harlem is about. "East Harlem has one of the largest Latino communities in the country, and, despite demographic changes, the neighborhood still retains its distinctively Latino flavor" (ENY, p. 85). This was extremely evident as we made our way through the city.
As we walked up off the subway, I looked around and didn’t get a great impression. It smelt terrible, the streets were absolutely filthy, and the people around looked as if they were poverty stricken. I kept saying to myself, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The first building we stopped in front of an apartment building which were once tenements, which were cheap apartment-like buildings. There were many of these types of buildings around where we were walking, and out of no where there is this big skyscraper that was newly constructed. "The neighborhood, which has been experiencing a wave of gentrification in recent years, has been home to several different ethnic communities since it was developed in the late 19th century" (ENY, p. 85). We learned this usually occurs when artists, writers, businesses, etc. Mainly when the wealthier people move in, it drives out the poorer people.
Our first stop was to the Museum of the City of New York. The museum seemed like it was going to be very interesting. We first watched the movie on the becoming of New York. "It's worth visiting the museum just to watch the well-made 22 minute documentary,"Timescapes," which provides an engaging multimedia history of New York City" (ENY, p. 87). It was basically everything we were learning from the different places we were visiting each day, but it was really cool to see it in a short video. The other part of the museum I really enjoyed was seeing the spray paint exhibit. When you first walked in, there was an entire wall of spray paint cans that made up the wall. The various works of art that made up the exhibit were amazing. It is so crazy to think that it is all made with a can! The other part of the museum we were able to visit was that of Coney Island. Around the large room, there were numerous pictures of people that would visit Coney Island and hang out at the beach. The exhibit really exhibited a huge part of Coney Island which was the tourists. The museum really displayed the many different aspects of what New York is about, and the diversity amongst us.
Mike and Don set us up with an awesome tour guide named Luke, who was a peace poet. We were lucky enough to hear one of the Luke’s poem-raps and receive and awesome tour through East Harlem and learn about the culture of the community. He took us through many streets and showed us many different places but one place that really interested me the most was this small book store that was down a small side street named La Casa Azul Bookstore. The bookstore’s mission is not only to spread the Latin culture, but provide the children who speak both Spanish and English books in Spanish so they can stay up to date on their language. The whole concept of the bookstore is great and the two women who run it keep it in tip-top shape. They had picture books to chapter books, all based on the Spanish culture. This is evident to have in East Harlem because the largest population of people here are Spanish. Luke also showed us the Julia de Burgos Mosaic Mural. "This mural, created by local artist Manny Vega, celebrates the achievements of the Puerto Rican independence , Julia de Burgos" (ENY, p. 88). This mural was reflective of how the culture is within East Harlem and how much pride is taken amongst the members of the community.
"With 50,000 Mexicans currently living in East Harlem, you can bet that this is the place to go for authentic Mexican Food" (ENY, p. 90). There were so many different choices for us to eat lunch at, but we chose a restaurant called El Paso. From the outside, it was a beautiful looking restaurant, so we decided to give it a shot. At the time we were going to eat, the world cup soccer game was just coming on TV, and it was Mexico verses Brazil. The restaurant was packed with people there to watch the games, where they proved huge screen throughout the entire bar. We were the only American’s in the entire room! It was amazing to witness such an important part of the Mexican culture and how much they supported their home country. While watching the game, we enjoyed our Mexican food which was the best Mexican food I have ever had! It was delicious! When I first looked at the menu, I had no idea what anything on it was! I went right to the only word I knew which was quesadilla, and went with that! It was totally worth it.
The last thing we did for the day was walk through Central Park. I have never been to Central Park surprisingly. It has been in so many different movies and TV shows, and is such a major part of Manhattan, I was excited to be able to experience the park. The part is huge! We saw the many different fountains, and ponds. The people of Manhattan utilize the park well! We passed by many walkers, runners, bike and skateboard riders. There are vendors selling snacks and drinks throughout the park. It’s a wonderful place to be on a beautiful day! The last place we stopped in the park was Strawberry Fields. "In recognition of Lennon's work promoting peace, on October 9, 1985, Mayor Ed Koch dedicated a 2.5 acre site on the western edge of Central Park across from the Dakota as a tribute to Lennon" (ENY, p. 64). It was so cool to see the courtyard that had the “Imagine” cemented into the ground. We also got to see the building where John Lennon and his wife resided, and where he was shot and killed. I love the Beatles so it was really interesting to get to see where all of this was and how it took place.
As we walked up off the subway, I looked around and didn’t get a great impression. It smelt terrible, the streets were absolutely filthy, and the people around looked as if they were poverty stricken. I kept saying to myself, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The first building we stopped in front of an apartment building which were once tenements, which were cheap apartment-like buildings. There were many of these types of buildings around where we were walking, and out of no where there is this big skyscraper that was newly constructed. "The neighborhood, which has been experiencing a wave of gentrification in recent years, has been home to several different ethnic communities since it was developed in the late 19th century" (ENY, p. 85). We learned this usually occurs when artists, writers, businesses, etc. Mainly when the wealthier people move in, it drives out the poorer people.
Our first stop was to the Museum of the City of New York. The museum seemed like it was going to be very interesting. We first watched the movie on the becoming of New York. "It's worth visiting the museum just to watch the well-made 22 minute documentary,"Timescapes," which provides an engaging multimedia history of New York City" (ENY, p. 87). It was basically everything we were learning from the different places we were visiting each day, but it was really cool to see it in a short video. The other part of the museum I really enjoyed was seeing the spray paint exhibit. When you first walked in, there was an entire wall of spray paint cans that made up the wall. The various works of art that made up the exhibit were amazing. It is so crazy to think that it is all made with a can! The other part of the museum we were able to visit was that of Coney Island. Around the large room, there were numerous pictures of people that would visit Coney Island and hang out at the beach. The exhibit really exhibited a huge part of Coney Island which was the tourists. The museum really displayed the many different aspects of what New York is about, and the diversity amongst us.
Mike and Don set us up with an awesome tour guide named Luke, who was a peace poet. We were lucky enough to hear one of the Luke’s poem-raps and receive and awesome tour through East Harlem and learn about the culture of the community. He took us through many streets and showed us many different places but one place that really interested me the most was this small book store that was down a small side street named La Casa Azul Bookstore. The bookstore’s mission is not only to spread the Latin culture, but provide the children who speak both Spanish and English books in Spanish so they can stay up to date on their language. The whole concept of the bookstore is great and the two women who run it keep it in tip-top shape. They had picture books to chapter books, all based on the Spanish culture. This is evident to have in East Harlem because the largest population of people here are Spanish. Luke also showed us the Julia de Burgos Mosaic Mural. "This mural, created by local artist Manny Vega, celebrates the achievements of the Puerto Rican independence , Julia de Burgos" (ENY, p. 88). This mural was reflective of how the culture is within East Harlem and how much pride is taken amongst the members of the community.
"With 50,000 Mexicans currently living in East Harlem, you can bet that this is the place to go for authentic Mexican Food" (ENY, p. 90). There were so many different choices for us to eat lunch at, but we chose a restaurant called El Paso. From the outside, it was a beautiful looking restaurant, so we decided to give it a shot. At the time we were going to eat, the world cup soccer game was just coming on TV, and it was Mexico verses Brazil. The restaurant was packed with people there to watch the games, where they proved huge screen throughout the entire bar. We were the only American’s in the entire room! It was amazing to witness such an important part of the Mexican culture and how much they supported their home country. While watching the game, we enjoyed our Mexican food which was the best Mexican food I have ever had! It was delicious! When I first looked at the menu, I had no idea what anything on it was! I went right to the only word I knew which was quesadilla, and went with that! It was totally worth it.
The last thing we did for the day was walk through Central Park. I have never been to Central Park surprisingly. It has been in so many different movies and TV shows, and is such a major part of Manhattan, I was excited to be able to experience the park. The part is huge! We saw the many different fountains, and ponds. The people of Manhattan utilize the park well! We passed by many walkers, runners, bike and skateboard riders. There are vendors selling snacks and drinks throughout the park. It’s a wonderful place to be on a beautiful day! The last place we stopped in the park was Strawberry Fields. "In recognition of Lennon's work promoting peace, on October 9, 1985, Mayor Ed Koch dedicated a 2.5 acre site on the western edge of Central Park across from the Dakota as a tribute to Lennon" (ENY, p. 64). It was so cool to see the courtyard that had the “Imagine” cemented into the ground. We also got to see the building where John Lennon and his wife resided, and where he was shot and killed. I love the Beatles so it was really interesting to get to see where all of this was and how it took place.
The Westside
Even though it was raining, I was very eager to visit places
in the city that I am personally familiar with. We began walking down Broadway,
where we were able to see a great view of Times Square. Broadway is such an
important part of the city because of the various things which are featured on
this block. “The entire length of Broadway runs 13 miles through Manhattan and
the Bronx, and continues and additional 18 miles through Westchester County,
terminating in Sleepy Hollow” (ENY, p. 32). I had no idea that “Broadway began
as the Wickquasgeck trail, carved through brush, swamp, and rock by Manhattan’s
Native American inhabitants (ENY, p. 32). This area of the city is said to be
the busiest area. Even though it was raining, it was still packed with people!
I was so excited to see that we were approaching the G.E. building because last time we didn’t really get too close to it. When we entered the building, I found out that I was in NBC studios. This is where Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon, and so many other great shows are filmed! I really thought we were going to bump into someone famous walking through such a significant building. I was really excited to be here because Jimmy Fallon is my favorite, and I really enjoy watching his show, so it was very interesting to see where it all takes place. Once we got to the end of the building, I saw this beautiful mural across the top of the wall. “Like all the art in the building, these murals were commissioned by the building’s owner, John D. Rockefeller. The committee that Rockefeller established decided that all the artwork in the building should have as its theme “New Frontiers,” celebrating advances in science, labor, education, travel, communications, humanitarianism, finance, and spirituality” (ENY, p. 36). This mural was one of the most incredible pieces of art I have ever seen in person. I know I would see more interesting artwork because our next stop was to the MoMA.
The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most famous art galleries in the world. It features some of the most popular and extravagant works out art. Surprisingly, I have never been there before! I was really excited though because I really appreciate art and what it has to offer. “Those interested in exploring the art of New York itself should focus on the fourth floor, with its impressive collective of works by artists like de Kooning, Pollock, Rothko, Rauschenberg, Johns, and Warhol, all of whom lived and work in New York” (ENY, p. 39). This floor was where I saw the two most amazing works of art that really caught my eye. The first painting I liked was “One: Number 31, 1950.” When I took art history class at Molloy, my professor took the time out to really go deeply into Jackson Pollock’s work, and we even watched the movie based upon his life. This was one of his most famous paintings that they showed him painting in his barn. As I learned from the movie, he lined the floor with the canvas and stood above it, and let the paint drip. I thought it was just so amazing how he created such a beautiful work of art. He created his own style of artwork. Another piece of art that I really like was “Woman, I” by Williem de Kooning. This was another piece of art that displayed such a unique style of painting. He took his own form of abstract expressionism and formed it into his own style, which reflected his talent. I loved the way he was trying to capture the vision of a woman with all the different styles and colors he used. Overall, I really enjoyed my time at the MoMA.
“If you’ve spent any time at all at the MoMA, you’ve probably worked up an appetite” (ENY, p. 39). That is entirely true! All the walking around the huge museum made me hungry! We all were walking over to Hell’s Kitchen, which is found in Midtown West area. We ate at a Thai restaurant called Yum Yum. This was my first time ever having Thai food so I was a little nervous. I would not have wanted to have experienced eating Thai food anywhere different! We received a 3-course meal that was phenomenal. It was basically glorified Chinese food! I’m not big on trying new types of foods and exploring outside of my comfort zone, but this was well worth it. I would definitely love to go back to this restaurant again because the food was so good! I am so glad that we went there.
The rest of the afternoon we saw many different great things. We saw the beautiful Riverside Church which was amazing to see. The architecture was simply amazing. We made our way over to the campus of Columbia University, “the first college established in New York State and the fifth in the United States” (ENY, p. 72). It was the most beautiful college campus I have ever seen! It was so weird because I felt like it just appeared out of nowhere! We got to see the old and the new libraries which were incredible to look at. The set-up of the buildings on the campus was just so perfect and seemed so surreal. Knowing how much of a prestigious school Columbia is, it was very cool to be able to see it. I wish I was smart enough to go there!
I was so excited to see that we were approaching the G.E. building because last time we didn’t really get too close to it. When we entered the building, I found out that I was in NBC studios. This is where Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon, and so many other great shows are filmed! I really thought we were going to bump into someone famous walking through such a significant building. I was really excited to be here because Jimmy Fallon is my favorite, and I really enjoy watching his show, so it was very interesting to see where it all takes place. Once we got to the end of the building, I saw this beautiful mural across the top of the wall. “Like all the art in the building, these murals were commissioned by the building’s owner, John D. Rockefeller. The committee that Rockefeller established decided that all the artwork in the building should have as its theme “New Frontiers,” celebrating advances in science, labor, education, travel, communications, humanitarianism, finance, and spirituality” (ENY, p. 36). This mural was one of the most incredible pieces of art I have ever seen in person. I know I would see more interesting artwork because our next stop was to the MoMA.
The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most famous art galleries in the world. It features some of the most popular and extravagant works out art. Surprisingly, I have never been there before! I was really excited though because I really appreciate art and what it has to offer. “Those interested in exploring the art of New York itself should focus on the fourth floor, with its impressive collective of works by artists like de Kooning, Pollock, Rothko, Rauschenberg, Johns, and Warhol, all of whom lived and work in New York” (ENY, p. 39). This floor was where I saw the two most amazing works of art that really caught my eye. The first painting I liked was “One: Number 31, 1950.” When I took art history class at Molloy, my professor took the time out to really go deeply into Jackson Pollock’s work, and we even watched the movie based upon his life. This was one of his most famous paintings that they showed him painting in his barn. As I learned from the movie, he lined the floor with the canvas and stood above it, and let the paint drip. I thought it was just so amazing how he created such a beautiful work of art. He created his own style of artwork. Another piece of art that I really like was “Woman, I” by Williem de Kooning. This was another piece of art that displayed such a unique style of painting. He took his own form of abstract expressionism and formed it into his own style, which reflected his talent. I loved the way he was trying to capture the vision of a woman with all the different styles and colors he used. Overall, I really enjoyed my time at the MoMA.
“If you’ve spent any time at all at the MoMA, you’ve probably worked up an appetite” (ENY, p. 39). That is entirely true! All the walking around the huge museum made me hungry! We all were walking over to Hell’s Kitchen, which is found in Midtown West area. We ate at a Thai restaurant called Yum Yum. This was my first time ever having Thai food so I was a little nervous. I would not have wanted to have experienced eating Thai food anywhere different! We received a 3-course meal that was phenomenal. It was basically glorified Chinese food! I’m not big on trying new types of foods and exploring outside of my comfort zone, but this was well worth it. I would definitely love to go back to this restaurant again because the food was so good! I am so glad that we went there.
The rest of the afternoon we saw many different great things. We saw the beautiful Riverside Church which was amazing to see. The architecture was simply amazing. We made our way over to the campus of Columbia University, “the first college established in New York State and the fifth in the United States” (ENY, p. 72). It was the most beautiful college campus I have ever seen! It was so weird because I felt like it just appeared out of nowhere! We got to see the old and the new libraries which were incredible to look at. The set-up of the buildings on the campus was just so perfect and seemed so surreal. Knowing how much of a prestigious school Columbia is, it was very cool to be able to see it. I wish I was smart enough to go there!
Lower Manhattan
The
first place we stopped today was St. Paul's chapel. St. Paul’s Chapel is
longest standing building that is still in use within New York City. “Completed in
1766, this is New York’s only intact pre-Revolutionary War Church. It’s also
the oldest surviving church in Manhattan as well as the oldest building in
continuous use in New York City” (ENY).
George Washington attended services at this Chapel and his pew is on display
still in the church. Another major part of this church was that it was a major
part of 9/11. Ever since 9/11, it has been used as a mini museum/memorial for
first-responders. The church was used as a place for shelter and food for the
first responders and rescue members on site. They displayed pictures, uniforms,
and items used during 9/11 all throughout the church. It was very hard to see
the pictures of people who were lost, along with their patches and pins they
had for them. It was extremely difficult to see and take in. “Supposedly St. Paul’s was spared by a sycamore
tree that stood in its cemetery, which deflected debris from the church. (The
root of this tree has been preserved in Bronze and can be seen at nearby
Trinity Church)” (ENY). Something I did
not like about the church was how on the outside there were graves. I felt like
it brought a bad vibe to such a historical place in our city and because of how
it is a representation of 9/11.
“Directly behind the station in City Hall Park is New York City Hall, which houses the Offices of the Mayor and the City Council. This is actually New York’s third city hall” (ENY). Going to City Hall was exciting because of how evident it is to our city. Abraham Lincoln, MLK Jr., NY Yankees, NY Giants, and many others have all been here, and we are getting the opportunity to be in the same place they have all been. Mayor DeBlasio could be walking past us at any moment. “The interior of City Hall is every bit as elegant as its exterior, and if you have the opportunity to take a tour of it, you are well advised to do so” (ENY). From our tour guide, we learned that city hall is considered a landmark building. They have to preserve its original self and cannot be changed because of this. The only changes that can be made are sprinklers and cameras, which were both added. George Washington's desk that he used in 1789 is on display in the Governor's room where a lot of political meetings are taken place. It's such an elegant piece of antique furniture. George Washington was our nation’s first president so it was amazing to see such an important part of history right in front of our eyes especially because it is from thousands of years ago. The next room we went into was the council of chambers. The council of chambers room is where they have hearings on different issues and problems to advance legislation on the particular issue. We walked in right before they were about to have a council meeting on hepatitis. We totally wanted to stay to be able to experience and see what it is like, but we did not have time. The really cool thing about going to city hall was that this is a place where you cannot just walk into. You must have a private tour to be able to go into the building. Not many people can say they have had a private tour of city hall!
Our next stop was the memorial right outside of the freedom tower. It was very overwhelming standing right below where it all happened. “On September 11th, 2001, Islamic terrorists flew two passenger planes into the Twin Towers, destroying the World Trade Center complex and killing 2,800 people” (ENY, p. 24). “In an attempt to demonstrate its resilience, in 2003 the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was created with the aim of redeveloping the
World Trade Center” (ENY). There were two fountains created to display the names of all the people who were lost on this tragic day. The fountain had all the names of who were lost engraved around the outside of the fountain. It was beautiful and left me speechless. I thought it was an amazing way to remember the lives that were taken from us. We also got to see the infamous tree that withstood the falling towers and super storm sandy. I don't know how that tree made it through, but I felt like it is a representation of us New Yorkers. No matter what we go through, we are still standing strong, just like the tree. I wish as a class we would have been able to go into the museum. It is very difficult to get tickets and to go in as a group.
We caught the ferry to go over to Governors Island at 3 o’clock. I love going on boats. It was really cool to be on the ferry and look to your right and see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We also were across from where we were in Brooklyn Heights. When we arrived to Governors Island, we went off on our own. I loved how quiet and peaceful it was on the island. There were no cars beeping or even driving around, people were riding bikes, walking around, no one was screaming and yelling, and everyone was just relaxing on this beautiful day. Dana, Emily, and I rented a trolley bike to ride around on because we figured it would get us around faster. I have to say, it definitely is harder than it looks! It was really a lot of fun driving it around and getting to see the entire island. When it was time to eat there was not much to choose from. We ended up getting food from the only open place which was a food truck. It wasn't very good but we ate it anyways! After we ate, we explored the island some more. We saw the hammocks, swings, and red chairs that people were able to just sit and relax on and enjoy the beautiful view over the water. The island was just so peaceful. That made it worthwhile. I wish we had a bit more time to spend on the treehouses and swings because they honestly looked like a lot of fun. It would be really cool if they were able to develop more businesses and things to do on the island! It would be a great place to go with your family for the day.
Mike let us sneak out a few minutes early because we were able to get into the 9/11 museum with two of our other friends. “The museum provides a poignant history of the events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath” (ENY).The museum was the most incredible museum I have ever seen. Because it is so new, they used technology all thought the different exhibits which enhanced the true meaning and made everything seem so real. They had so many preserved things from the twin towers. All through the bottom floor was the foundation from both the north and south towers. They also had numerous pieces that were saved from the building and the planes that crashed into the towers. Some things that really made me choke up was seeing the personal items of victims they found and displayed such as watches, wallets, shoes, and other personal belongings. I think they did a great job displaying all the various aspects and belongings from the world trade centers. It was very difficult walking through and seeing all this stuff because I lost my second cousin on 9/11 so it really became personal to me. I was very happy to see the way the honored all the people who lost their lives that day. It is a great way to honor and remember their lives.
“Directly behind the station in City Hall Park is New York City Hall, which houses the Offices of the Mayor and the City Council. This is actually New York’s third city hall” (ENY). Going to City Hall was exciting because of how evident it is to our city. Abraham Lincoln, MLK Jr., NY Yankees, NY Giants, and many others have all been here, and we are getting the opportunity to be in the same place they have all been. Mayor DeBlasio could be walking past us at any moment. “The interior of City Hall is every bit as elegant as its exterior, and if you have the opportunity to take a tour of it, you are well advised to do so” (ENY). From our tour guide, we learned that city hall is considered a landmark building. They have to preserve its original self and cannot be changed because of this. The only changes that can be made are sprinklers and cameras, which were both added. George Washington's desk that he used in 1789 is on display in the Governor's room where a lot of political meetings are taken place. It's such an elegant piece of antique furniture. George Washington was our nation’s first president so it was amazing to see such an important part of history right in front of our eyes especially because it is from thousands of years ago. The next room we went into was the council of chambers. The council of chambers room is where they have hearings on different issues and problems to advance legislation on the particular issue. We walked in right before they were about to have a council meeting on hepatitis. We totally wanted to stay to be able to experience and see what it is like, but we did not have time. The really cool thing about going to city hall was that this is a place where you cannot just walk into. You must have a private tour to be able to go into the building. Not many people can say they have had a private tour of city hall!
Our next stop was the memorial right outside of the freedom tower. It was very overwhelming standing right below where it all happened. “On September 11th, 2001, Islamic terrorists flew two passenger planes into the Twin Towers, destroying the World Trade Center complex and killing 2,800 people” (ENY, p. 24). “In an attempt to demonstrate its resilience, in 2003 the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was created with the aim of redeveloping the
World Trade Center” (ENY). There were two fountains created to display the names of all the people who were lost on this tragic day. The fountain had all the names of who were lost engraved around the outside of the fountain. It was beautiful and left me speechless. I thought it was an amazing way to remember the lives that were taken from us. We also got to see the infamous tree that withstood the falling towers and super storm sandy. I don't know how that tree made it through, but I felt like it is a representation of us New Yorkers. No matter what we go through, we are still standing strong, just like the tree. I wish as a class we would have been able to go into the museum. It is very difficult to get tickets and to go in as a group.
We caught the ferry to go over to Governors Island at 3 o’clock. I love going on boats. It was really cool to be on the ferry and look to your right and see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We also were across from where we were in Brooklyn Heights. When we arrived to Governors Island, we went off on our own. I loved how quiet and peaceful it was on the island. There were no cars beeping or even driving around, people were riding bikes, walking around, no one was screaming and yelling, and everyone was just relaxing on this beautiful day. Dana, Emily, and I rented a trolley bike to ride around on because we figured it would get us around faster. I have to say, it definitely is harder than it looks! It was really a lot of fun driving it around and getting to see the entire island. When it was time to eat there was not much to choose from. We ended up getting food from the only open place which was a food truck. It wasn't very good but we ate it anyways! After we ate, we explored the island some more. We saw the hammocks, swings, and red chairs that people were able to just sit and relax on and enjoy the beautiful view over the water. The island was just so peaceful. That made it worthwhile. I wish we had a bit more time to spend on the treehouses and swings because they honestly looked like a lot of fun. It would be really cool if they were able to develop more businesses and things to do on the island! It would be a great place to go with your family for the day.
Mike let us sneak out a few minutes early because we were able to get into the 9/11 museum with two of our other friends. “The museum provides a poignant history of the events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath” (ENY).The museum was the most incredible museum I have ever seen. Because it is so new, they used technology all thought the different exhibits which enhanced the true meaning and made everything seem so real. They had so many preserved things from the twin towers. All through the bottom floor was the foundation from both the north and south towers. They also had numerous pieces that were saved from the building and the planes that crashed into the towers. Some things that really made me choke up was seeing the personal items of victims they found and displayed such as watches, wallets, shoes, and other personal belongings. I think they did a great job displaying all the various aspects and belongings from the world trade centers. It was very difficult walking through and seeing all this stuff because I lost my second cousin on 9/11 so it really became personal to me. I was very happy to see the way the honored all the people who lost their lives that day. It is a great way to honor and remember their lives.
Immigrant New York
Even though today was my birthday, I was still excited to conclude our
journey through the city. We landed in Lower East Manhattan this morning, or as
Mike said,"the shithole" of the 19th century. This was considered the
most crowded place on earth because of all the immigration. The immigrants
lived in tenements which were very low-income, disgusting apartments that these
people lived in. They were the worst living conditions you could possibly think
of. The Tenements museum was our first stop of the day. The tenements at the
museum were first constructed in 1863 and are still standing today. They were
condemned in 1930 and sat with no use for over 50 years! That is a very long
time for not using a building. It was used by other small businesses as a use
for storage and then eventually it began to be transformed into a museum. The
tenements used to be a residence for over 7,000 people that came from 20
different nations. The Gumperts and the Baldeses were the two families that
lived here that we learned about. In the kitchen, the families lived without a
sink, refrigerator, lights, and windows. There is no indoor plumbing, gas
lines, or electricity so the families did not have either bathrooms or showers.
Outside they had four toilets and only one source of running water for all the
families that lived in the tenements to use. About twenty families would live
in this five story building, with four apartments on each floor. Many of the
rooms were used for multiple things. For example the kitchen might have been used
as a laundry room or wash room. I couldn't even believe that these families had
to live in such conditions. It is terrible to have to keep your family in such
an environment and not have anywhere else to go. It is hard to think of living
life without such major necessities in your reach. Due to the 1901 tenement
act, they required each tenement to have running water, gas lines, electricity,
and requires two bathrooms per floor. The landlords were against this and took
it all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1905, the law finally went into effect.
It's crazy the differences between the two tenements. The one with the amenities
just seemed like a livable situation. It wasn't ideal, but it looks like it
could be tolerated, especially because of the running water and
bathrooms. Otherwise, it must have been very hard to live in such conditions.
The tour was very intriguing and our tour guide was great. I learned a lot
about the tenements from her.
Mike split us up and sent us on a hunt! I really enjoyed splitting up into groups and going on the mini scavenger hunt. It was something a little different and we were able to experience different things. We went to one of the shops in China Town called “Mei Lah Wah” where we tried pork buns. At first, I was a little hesitant to try one. I never would have thought to ever eat one nor would I of ever got it but it was actually really good! I was scared to look at what was inside. We also went across the street to a stand and tried bubbly tea. This is something that has become very popular within the Chinese community so I thought it would be interesting to try. I tried a mango tea which was not half bad. The lady said it was the most popular flavor so we figured we would give it a go. Our next stop was to pass a quick look at the Buddhist Temple. They had Buddha’s that told you your fortune, places for praying, and they also sold items of good fortune.
For lunch, we went and had authentic Chinese food. Mike did all of the food ordering so we did not have much of a choice! Some of the items we were brought out were okay, but I was personally not a fan of many of the foods. Mike had the right intention behind what he ordered because he wanted us all to experience something different instead of the typical Chinese food we order from the takeout place. Unfortunately, there was nothing that I liked, or the others at my table. Everyone kept eating the sesame chicken so I only got like two pieces! I was starving after!
The best part of our tour guide was when we stopped and went inside Economy Candy. This old and authentic candy store had every candy imaginable! They had all different kinds of chocolates, nuts, gums, gummy candy, sour candies, etc. Anything type of candy you could every think of, they had. I saw so many kinds of candy that I grew up having. I made sure I got my favorite peach rings and sour watermelons for the road! After we received a very interesting tour from our tour guide throughout the various cultures and religions in lower Manhattan, only a few of us stayed to walk across the Williamsburg Bridge with Mike and Don. “At 1.2 miles in length, however, it is slightly longer than that the Brooklyn Bridge, though certainly not nearly as elegant in style” (ENY, p. 119). There was graffiti all over the blacktop path of the bridge. The entire bridge was also a faded red, which made it seem pink. It was awesome looking. The views from the bridge weren’t as great as the Brooklyn Bridge, but it was still a great experience and I can say I walked across two bridges in Manhattan! My favorite part of it was how you could see the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge.
Mike split us up and sent us on a hunt! I really enjoyed splitting up into groups and going on the mini scavenger hunt. It was something a little different and we were able to experience different things. We went to one of the shops in China Town called “Mei Lah Wah” where we tried pork buns. At first, I was a little hesitant to try one. I never would have thought to ever eat one nor would I of ever got it but it was actually really good! I was scared to look at what was inside. We also went across the street to a stand and tried bubbly tea. This is something that has become very popular within the Chinese community so I thought it would be interesting to try. I tried a mango tea which was not half bad. The lady said it was the most popular flavor so we figured we would give it a go. Our next stop was to pass a quick look at the Buddhist Temple. They had Buddha’s that told you your fortune, places for praying, and they also sold items of good fortune.
For lunch, we went and had authentic Chinese food. Mike did all of the food ordering so we did not have much of a choice! Some of the items we were brought out were okay, but I was personally not a fan of many of the foods. Mike had the right intention behind what he ordered because he wanted us all to experience something different instead of the typical Chinese food we order from the takeout place. Unfortunately, there was nothing that I liked, or the others at my table. Everyone kept eating the sesame chicken so I only got like two pieces! I was starving after!
The best part of our tour guide was when we stopped and went inside Economy Candy. This old and authentic candy store had every candy imaginable! They had all different kinds of chocolates, nuts, gums, gummy candy, sour candies, etc. Anything type of candy you could every think of, they had. I saw so many kinds of candy that I grew up having. I made sure I got my favorite peach rings and sour watermelons for the road! After we received a very interesting tour from our tour guide throughout the various cultures and religions in lower Manhattan, only a few of us stayed to walk across the Williamsburg Bridge with Mike and Don. “At 1.2 miles in length, however, it is slightly longer than that the Brooklyn Bridge, though certainly not nearly as elegant in style” (ENY, p. 119). There was graffiti all over the blacktop path of the bridge. The entire bridge was also a faded red, which made it seem pink. It was awesome looking. The views from the bridge weren’t as great as the Brooklyn Bridge, but it was still a great experience and I can say I walked across two bridges in Manhattan! My favorite part of it was how you could see the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge.
Lasting Impression
This class has been an amazing
experience. Before I took this class, I knew not nearly as much as I do now
about New York City. I would be able to revisit all the different places we
have been to and talk about all the different things that I learned. I have
always felt so anxious when visiting the city because of all the hustle and
bustle. I have to be honest and say I still feel that way but not as much
because I know a lot more of where to go and where things are. I became
comfortable with the city from all of the many things we did.
“To understand New York City—perhaps more than any other city in the country—is to understand the inexorable process of change and the positive as well as negative effects of that change on its past and present inhabitants” (ENY, p. 13). This was one of the main things we did during the course. I was able to try new things and go out of my comfort zone. For instance, I never would have tried either Indian or Thai food and I can proudly say I did. I didn’t really like the Indian food all the much, but I would definitely get Thai food again. The Indian food was not my thing! I would never have gone to the NY Transit museum because I never would have thought I would enjoy a museum about trains. I was wrong. I thought the museum was so interesting and intriguing. It really gives you an appreciation and sense of how important the subway and train system is to the city.
Something I have always wanted to know how to do was ride the subway system the right way. Every other time I have went on it I had no idea where to go or what to do when I walked down those stairs. I can confidently say I officially know where I am going when I need to get somewhere. I may need a little work on it but I definitely grasped the concept of traveling through the subway. I also had no idea how the city was broken up and where exactly things were. This course offered me so much direction and knowledge of a place that is basically in my backyard. I had such a good time with my classmates and professors. It was the best class I have ever been in at Molloy. I would recommend this class to anyone because of all the cultural, religious, and background it has to offer.
“To understand New York City—perhaps more than any other city in the country—is to understand the inexorable process of change and the positive as well as negative effects of that change on its past and present inhabitants” (ENY, p. 13). This was one of the main things we did during the course. I was able to try new things and go out of my comfort zone. For instance, I never would have tried either Indian or Thai food and I can proudly say I did. I didn’t really like the Indian food all the much, but I would definitely get Thai food again. The Indian food was not my thing! I would never have gone to the NY Transit museum because I never would have thought I would enjoy a museum about trains. I was wrong. I thought the museum was so interesting and intriguing. It really gives you an appreciation and sense of how important the subway and train system is to the city.
Something I have always wanted to know how to do was ride the subway system the right way. Every other time I have went on it I had no idea where to go or what to do when I walked down those stairs. I can confidently say I officially know where I am going when I need to get somewhere. I may need a little work on it but I definitely grasped the concept of traveling through the subway. I also had no idea how the city was broken up and where exactly things were. This course offered me so much direction and knowledge of a place that is basically in my backyard. I had such a good time with my classmates and professors. It was the best class I have ever been in at Molloy. I would recommend this class to anyone because of all the cultural, religious, and background it has to offer.